Window in Different Languages
Discover 'Window' in 134 Languages: Dive into Translations, Hear Pronunciations, and Uncover Cultural Insights.
Updated on March 6, 2024
Windows have been a significant part of our lives for centuries. They provide us with natural light, fresh air, and a connection to the outside world. But did you know that the word 'window' has been translated into different languages, each with its own unique cultural context?
For instance, in German, a window is called 'Fenster', which comes from an old Northern German word 'vend', meaning 'wind'. In Spanish, a window is 'ventana', which originates from the Latin 'ventus', meaning 'wind' as well. In fact, many languages have similar etymology, reflecting the importance of ventilation in the early history of windows.
Understanding the translation of 'window' in different languages can offer a fascinating glimpse into cultural differences and similarities. For example, in Japanese, a window is 'mado', which also means 'gate' or 'door'. This reflects the traditional Japanese design philosophy of blending indoor and outdoor spaces.
So, whether you're a language enthusiast, a cultural explorer, or just curious, here are some translations of 'window' in different languages:
Window
Window in Sub-Saharan African Languages
| Afrikaans | venster | ||
| The Dutch word "venster" originally referred to a hole in the roof that let out smoke. | |||
| Amharic | መስኮት | ||
| The word “መስኮት” (“window”) also has other meanings such as “a break, an opportunity” and "a chance". | |||
| Hausa | taga | ||
| "Taga" can also refer to a place where something is kept or the act of putting something somewhere. | |||
| Igbo | windo | ||
| In Igbo, the word "windo" also refers to a type of bird often seen at windows. | |||
| Malagasy | varavarankely | ||
| The Malagasy word "varavarankely" can also refer to a hole or opening in a wall or fence. | |||
| Nyanja (Chichewa) | zenera | ||
| The word "zenera" in Chichewa is derived from the Yao word "kusera" which also means "to look through". | |||
| Shona | hwindo | ||
| Hwindo, the Shona word for "window", also refers to holes made by rats, mice and other tiny rodents. | |||
| Somali | daaqad | ||
| The Somali word "daaqad" is derived from the Arabic word "daqqa" meaning "to knock", as windows were traditionally used to communicate with people outside. | |||
| Sesotho | fensetere | ||
| The word "fensetere" is derived from the Portuguese word "janela". | |||
| Swahili | dirisha | ||
| The Swahili word "dirisha" is derived from the Arabic word "dirsh," meaning "sight" or "view." | |||
| Xhosa | iwindow | ||
| The Xhosa word "iwindow" is derived from the Afrikaans word "venster," which itself comes from the Dutch word "venster." | |||
| Yoruba | ferese | ||
| In an archaic context, 'ferese' also refers to an air vent, a gap, or an opening. | |||
| Zulu | iwindi | ||
| The word "iwindi" in Zulu comes from the Proto-Bantu root "-windo", which means "opening" or "hole". | |||
| Bambara | finɛtiri | ||
| Ewe | fesre | ||
| Kinyarwanda | idirishya | ||
| Lingala | fenetre | ||
| Luganda | eddirisa | ||
| Sepedi | lefasetere | ||
| Twi (Akan) | mpoma | ||
Window in North African & Middle Eastern Languages
| Arabic | نافذة او شباك | ||
| The word "نافذة" can also mean "opportunity" or "chance" in Arabic. | |||
| Hebrew | חַלוֹן | ||
| The word "חַלוֹן" (window) also means "aperture" or "opening" in Hebrew. | |||
| Pashto | کړکۍ | ||
| The word "کړکۍ" in Pashto not only means "window" but also refers to a "crack" or "gap". | |||
| Arabic | نافذة او شباك | ||
| The word "نافذة" can also mean "opportunity" or "chance" in Arabic. | |||
Window in Western European Languages
| Albanian | dritare | ||
| The word dritare likely comes from the Latin word directarius, meaning "straight" or "direct". This is because a window allows light to pass through it directly. | |||
| Basque | leihoa | ||
| Leihoa's root, leiho, originally meant 'passage for light', which later evolved into 'window'. | |||
| Catalan | finestra | ||
| ‘Finestra’ is also the term used in theatre for the opening in the scenery through which the audience observes the action | |||
| Croatian | prozor | ||
| The Croatian word | |||
| Danish | vindue | ||
| "vindue" shares the same Germanic root as "wind" and originally referred to an opening for ventilation. | |||
| Dutch | venster | ||
| The Dutch word "venster" for window was borrowed from Middle Low German, where it meant "something that can be opened". | |||
| English | window | ||
| The word | |||
| French | la fenêtre | ||
| The word "fenêtre" in French derives from the Latin word "fenestra," meaning "opening in a wall." | |||
| Frisian | finster | ||
| Although "finster" means "window" in modern Frisian, in Medieval Frisian, it meant "darkness". | |||
| Galician | xanela | ||
| "Xanela" is related to words like "channel" and "canal", due to its origin in the Latin word "canalis". | |||
| German | fenster | ||
| The German word "Fenster" is derived from the Latin word "fenestra", meaning "opening" or "hole in a wall." | |||
| Icelandic | glugga | ||
| In Old Norse, 'glugga' also meant peephole, a reference to its early form as an opening covered with animal skin or bladder | |||
| Irish | fuinneog | ||
| Fuinneog originates from the Old Irish word "fuinid" meaning "to look out". | |||
| Italian | finestra | ||
| Finestra shares the same origin with the Latin word | |||
| Luxembourgish | fënster | ||
| The word "Fënster" originally meant "light" or "clear" in Old High German. | |||
| Maltese | tieqa | ||
| Maltese "tieqa" means "hole" in the Arabic dialects of Algeria and Tunisia; in Moroccan "tiqa" means "window, opening" with similar meanings in Hebrew | |||
| Norwegian | vindu | ||
| Originates from the Proto-Germanic *window, originally a noun derived from the verb *wejan- “to blow (of the wind)” | |||
| Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | janela | ||
| "Janela" (window) comes from the Arabic "shannarah" (lattice), which derives from the Latin "fenestra" (opening). | |||
| Scots Gaelic | uinneag | ||
| The Gaelic word for "window" (uinneag) originally meant "eye-hole". | |||
| Spanish | ventana | ||
| In Spanish, "ventana" can also refer to the hole in a bullfighting ring's wall where spectators witness the main event. | |||
| Swedish | fönster | ||
| Fönster comes from the Old Norse word 'fjǫnstr' meaning opening, and is cognate to the English word 'fenester'. | |||
| Welsh | ffenestr | ||
| Ffenestr is a combination of the words 'ffyn' ('threshold') and 'trest' ('place to cross'), referencing its function as a passageway through a wall. | |||
Window in Eastern European Languages
| Belarusian | акно | ||
| The word "акно" in Belarusian is derived from the Proto-Slavic word *oknъ, which also means "eye". This reflects the fact that windows were originally small openings in the walls of buildings, through which people could look out. | |||
| Bosnian | prozor | ||
| The Bosnian word 'prozor' has an interesting etymology, meaning 'to gaze' or 'to see through', reflecting its role as a portal to the outside world. | |||
| Bulgarian | прозорец | ||
| The word "прозорец" derives from the Old Church Slavonic word "прозоръ", meaning "aperture", "hole", or "gap". | |||
| Czech | okno | ||
| In linguistics, okno is also used in Czech as a term meaning aperture of a string instrument. | |||
| Estonian | aken | ||
| Aken is derived from the Proto-Finnic word *äkünä, meaning "an opening in a wall or roof." | |||
| Finnish | ikkuna | ||
| The word "ikkuna" in Finnish derives from the Proto-Slavic word "*oknъ", meaning "eye". | |||
| Hungarian | ablak | ||
| "Ablak" is also the Hungarian word for "porthole." | |||
| Latvian | logs | ||
| In Latvian, "logs" comes from the German word "Luke," which also means "hole, trap, cellar, hiding place" | |||
| Lithuanian | langas | ||
| The word "langas" in Lithuanian is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "*leng" meaning "to see" and is related to the English word "look". | |||
| Macedonian | прозорец | ||
| The word "прозорец" is derived from the Old Church Slavonic word "прозор", meaning "an opening" or "a view". | |||
| Polish | okno | ||
| In Polish, "okno" also refers to an opening, aperture, or gap, such as that found in a wall, roof, or even in clothing. | |||
| Romanian | fereastră | ||
| The Romanian word | |||
| Russian | окно | ||
| The word "окно" is derived from the Proto-Slavic word *oknъ, cognate with the Gothic word *augo (window). | |||
| Serbian | прозор | ||
| The word 'прозор' is derived from the Slavic 'prozir', meaning 'to look through'. | |||
| Slovak | okno | ||
| The word okno in Slovak is a cognate to 'window' in other Germanic and Slavic languages and originally meant 'eye' in Proto-Indo-European. | |||
| Slovenian | okno | ||
| The word okno, meaning "windowpane," may have been formed from ok, which originally stood for the verb "to close" | |||
| Ukrainian | вікно | ||
| "Вікно" is derived from the Proto-Slavic word "*okno", which also means "eye". | |||
Window in South Asian Languages
| Bengali | জানলা | ||
| The word "জানলা" originated from the Sanskrit word "जनल" meaning "opening for light or air" and also refers to a "casement" or "lattice" | |||
| Gujarati | વિંડો | ||
| Derived from Middle English 'windou' and Old English 'windoge' meaning 'a hole allowing air to enter' or 'opening offering a view'. | |||
| Hindi | खिड़की | ||
| The word "खिड़की" may derive from the Middle Persian word "khing" meaning "aperture" or from the Sanskrit word "kiti" meaning "space" or "opening". | |||
| Kannada | ಕಿಟಕಿ | ||
| "ಕಿಟಕಿ" originates from the Sanskrit word "kataka"," meaning "an opening in a wall". It can also refer to the "eye of a needle". | |||
| Malayalam | ജാലകം | ||
| In Sanskrit, 'jaala' means 'a net' and 'ka' means 'to do'. 'Jalakam' thus refers to a space covered with a net. | |||
| Marathi | विंडो | ||
| The word "विंडो" (window) in Marathi is derived from the Sanskrit word "वातमुख" (vātamukha), meaning "mouth of the wind" or "opening for the wind". | |||
| Nepali | विन्डो | ||
| Punjabi | ਵਿੰਡੋ | ||
| The word 'ਵਿੰਡੋ' ('window') in Punjabi has a root in the word 'ਵਾਯੂ' ('air') because it lets air in the house or any other closed place. | |||
| Sinhala (Sinhalese) | කවුළුව | ||
| The Sinhalese word for "window", "කවුළුව", comes from the Sanskrit word "kapata" meaning "doorway". | |||
| Tamil | ஜன்னல் | ||
| The word "ஜன்னல்" (window) in Tamil might derive from the Sanskrit word "janala" meaning "opening". It can also refer to a type of classical Tamil lute. | |||
| Telugu | కిటికీ | ||
| "కిటికీ" derives from the Sanskrit word "kitibha" meaning "to split, to break open", and also signifies an opening or hole | |||
| Urdu | ونڈو | ||
| The term "ونڈو" in Urdu is originally derived from the Latin word "ventus", meaning "wind". | |||
Window in East Asian Languages
| Chinese (Simplified) | 窗口 | ||
| In traditional Chinese architecture, "窗口" (window) could also mean an opening in a wall designed to let in the wind and light, without the glass panes commonly associated with windows today. | |||
| Chinese (Traditional) | 窗口 | ||
| The character "窗" in "窗口" originally referred to a hole in a wall for ventilation or archery. | |||
| Japanese | 窓 | ||
| The character used in this word's original kanji also means "eye" | |||
| Korean | 창문 | ||
| In Old Korean, "창문" (window) referred to an opening in a roof used to release smoke rather than the wall openings we associate with windows today. | |||
| Mongolian | цонх | ||
| The Mongolian word "цонх" possibly comes from the Middle Mongolian root "*soŋγu- " meaning "hole". | |||
| Myanmar (Burmese) | ပြတင်းပေါက် | ||
Window in South East Asian Languages
| Indonesian | jendela | ||
| The word "jendela" in Indonesian is derived from the Proto-Austronesian word "*zanal" which means "opening", and is cognate with the words "jendela" in Malay and "zana" in Philippine languages | |||
| Javanese | jendhela | ||
| In Javanese, 'jendhela' means 'window', but it can also refer to the gap between teeth or the gap in a fence. | |||
| Khmer | បង្អួច | ||
| The Khmer word "បង្អួច" (window) is derived from the Sanskrit word "Vātapāna," meaning "a place where the wind enters." | |||
| Lao | ປ່ອງຢ້ຽມ | ||
| Malay | tingkap | ||
| The word "tingkap" also means "curtain" in Malay, reflecting the traditional use of textiles to cover window openings. | |||
| Thai | หน้าต่าง | ||
| The word "หน้าต่าง" also means a face or an appearance, emphasizing the "looking out" function of a window. | |||
| Vietnamese | cửa sổ | ||
| The word "cửa sổ" literally means "door to the view" in Vietnamese. | |||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | bintana | ||
Window in Central Asian Languages
| Azerbaijani | pəncərə | ||
| "Pəncərə" word in Azerbaijani originally meant "five eyes" (pənc - five, çərə - eye) and referred to the five openings in the wall to let the light in. | |||
| Kazakh | терезе | ||
| The word "терезе" shares its etymology with the Arabic "دارزة" and can also refer to a hole or opening. | |||
| Kyrgyz | терезе | ||
| The word "терезе" originates from the Persian word "derize", meaning "hole" or "opening". | |||
| Tajik | тиреза | ||
| "Тиреза" is Persian for "window" and is cognate with the word "дэр" ("door") also in Tajik. Both are derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *dʰwer- ("door"). | |||
| Turkmen | penjire | ||
| Uzbek | oyna | ||
| The word "oyna" can also refer to a hole or opening in a wall or ceiling, or figuratively to an opportunity or chance. | |||
| Uyghur | كۆزنەك | ||
Window in Pacific Languages
| Hawaiian | pukaaniani | ||
| "Puka" can mean "hole" or "doorway", and "aniani" refers to the sky or light from above. | |||
| Maori | matapihi | ||
| The term matapihi, meaning "window", literally translates to "the eyes of the house" in Maori. | |||
| Samoan | faʻamalama | ||
| The word "faʻamalama" in Samoan comes from "faʻa", meaning "to make" and "malama", meaning "light". | |||
| Tagalog (Filipino) | bintana | ||
| The word | |||
Window in American Indigenous Languages
| Aymara | wintana | ||
| Guarani | ovetã | ||
Window in International Languages
| Esperanto | fenestro | ||
| The word "fenestro" is derived from the Latin word "fenestra" and the Esperanto suffix "-o", both meaning "window". | |||
| Latin | fenestram | ||
| The word "fenestram" is derived from the root "fenestra," meaning "opening in a wall," and is related to the English word "fence." | |||
Window in Others Languages
| Greek | παράθυρο | ||
| "Παράθυρο" derives from Ancient Greek "παρά" (by) and "θυρός" (door), implying an opening by the door. | |||
| Hmong | qhov rais | ||
| "Qhov rais" contains the same word root ("rais") as "lub rais" (to open), indicating the connection between windows and openings. | |||
| Kurdish | pace | ||
| Pace originates from the Persian word 'pāy' meaning 'foot' | |||
| Turkish | pencere | ||
| The word "pencere" is derived from the Persian word "panjarah" meaning "lattice" or "screen". | |||
| Xhosa | iwindow | ||
| The Xhosa word "iwindow" is derived from the Afrikaans word "venster," which itself comes from the Dutch word "venster." | |||
| Yiddish | פענצטער | ||
| The Yiddish word פּענצטער (fentsṭer) is derived from the German word Fenster, which itself is derived from the Latin fenestra. | |||
| Zulu | iwindi | ||
| The word "iwindi" in Zulu comes from the Proto-Bantu root "-windo", which means "opening" or "hole". | |||
| Assamese | খিৰিকী | ||
| Aymara | wintana | ||
| Bhojpuri | खिड़की | ||
| Dhivehi | ކުޑަދޮރު | ||
| Dogri | दुआरी | ||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | bintana | ||
| Guarani | ovetã | ||
| Ilocano | tawa | ||
| Krio | winda | ||
| Kurdish (Sorani) | پەنجەرە | ||
| Maithili | खिड़की | ||
| Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯊꯣꯡꯅꯥꯎ | ||
| Mizo | tukverh | ||
| Oromo | foddaa | ||
| Odia (Oriya) | ୱିଣ୍ଡୋ | | ||
| Quechua | wasi tuqu | ||
| Sanskrit | कोष्ठ | ||
| Tatar | тәрәзә | ||
| Tigrinya | መስኮት | ||
| Tsonga | fasitere | ||